Page 25 of Callahan's Haven

“I told her she couldn’t,” Hope said, taking a pair of jeans and one of Haven’s favorite heavy pullover sweaters out of the closet and laying them out on the back of her desk chair. “But I can’t guarantee how long that will last.”

Haven scowled and looked between her two friends. “Okay. So, exactly how many people know about this? And how in the hell did it get on social media?” It had been the middle of the night and no one had been around.

Hope leaned back against her desk. “I’m pretty sure the whole campus knows—along with about a hundred thousand or more people who have viewed and shared it.”

Haven groaned and covered her face with her hands.

“One of the guys in Lackland Hall was up studying and noticed the blue lights,” Destiny said. Haven peeked through her splayed fingers to see Hope pulling her cell from her pocket. “He got close enough to record most of it on his phone.” She spent a few seconds swiping and clicking before showing the screen to her. “See, it’s underMiddleburg Linebacker Gets Tackled and Maced.”

Haven dropped her hands and stared at events on the screen as they’d unfolded. “God, I hope my dad hasn’t seen that.” Cal had looked ready to kill Brayden last night, and he might have if she hadn’t stopped him.

And her dad? If he happened to see the size of her attacker, he might take matters into his own hands. She didn’t want her dad going to jail because of her.

She stood up to take off her nightwear and grabbed her jeans, frowning after she’d pulled them up and fastened them. “Why aren’t you guys in class?” She put the sweater on over her head and pulled her hair free.

Hope smiled an almost sad smile at her. “This is where we need to be. With you.” Destiny gave a slow nod of agreement.

Haven waved her hands in front of her face when her eyes started to sting. “Don’t get me started again. I don’t want my dad to know I’ve been crying when I see him. He’s already going to be allhoveryand protective.” She dreaded what was to come. “Will you guys go with me?”

Destiny gave her areallylook—one brow raised. “You’re kidding, right?”

* * *

“Haven!”

Haven peered over the edge of the front passenger door of Destiny’s car as she was getting out in front of the campus security office. It was her father—his long legs eating up the space between them as he ran toward her. Fresh tears threatened, but she held them back.

She slammed the door and ran to meet him halfway. Within seconds, she found herself picked up and lifted high against his chest like she was a little girl again, wrapped in his tight embrace.

“I’m already gray,” he murmured, the slight shaking of the hand stroking the back of her head speaking louder than his words. “But you’re determined to make it fall out now too. Aren’t you?”

She shook her head and smiled into his chest. “It might be a good look on you.”

“I don’t think so.” He chuckled. “So, let’s just not make a habit of this. Okay?”

She nodded and snuggled in deeper. Hovery and protective or not, she’d needed this. He took in a deep breath and pulled her even tighter—a little too tight.

“Dad,” she croaked, “it’d be nice if I could breathe.”

He loosened his grip—slightly. “You can breathe later.” He sighed against her and laid his chin on her head as he rocked her back and forth. Several moments later, he called out over her head, “Hey, girls.” She had no doubt Hope and Destiny were smiling while letting them have this private moment. Although Hope was probably sniffling at the same time.

“Hi, Mr. Sheppard,” they called out in unison, as always. Her smile broadened. It was something her best friends had done since they were little. It was good some things never changed.

She patted him on the shoulders. “Dad, you can let me down now.”

“Two more seconds.” He took at least ten, and then gave her another squeeze and kiss on the top of her head before setting her feet on the ground. She looked up at him to find him glancing to his left before smiling down at her. She didn’t want to be obvious, so she turned around to motion for her friends still standing by Destiny’s car to join them and caught a glimpse of a dark SUV she was certain belonged to Cal.

Something’s definitely going on.

Before her approaching friends got to them, her dad said under his breath, “Follow my lead and Cal will explain it all later.” She didn’t have time to react with Hope and Destiny joining them. Whatever trouble her dad was in, she’d do what she had to.

“Hey, my two other favorite ladies,” he said, giving a hug to Destiny and then Hope. “Thanks for taking care of my girl here this morning.”

“Dad…”

He winked at her and then took a deep breath, his face sobering and jaw tensing. “So, you ready for this?”

She took a fortifying breath and nodded. She wasn’t looking forward to what was coming, but it had to be done.

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